Curriculum - Obedience Level 1

Introduction on how dogs learn
- Including tips on how to set up an effective training session
The five basic obedience commands:
- Sit (sit upright), Down (lay down), Stay (remain in position), Come (when called), and Heel (to follow you by your side, walk when you walk and sit when you stop)
Basics of good socialisation
- Many dog behavioural issues resulted from missed or bad socialisation, such as fearful, anxious, over-excited or aggressive behaviour. Socialisation is crucial for healthy development and helps a dog feel more comfortable and confident in various environments and situations, for example outside their comfort zone, during fireworks or thunderstorms, when meeting new people or new dogs, or being handled at the groomer or veterinarian’s office.
Generalise behaviours and incorporate into daily life
- Teaching your dog how to perform the basic obedience commands at home and in different places, as well as incorporating them into your daily life is the start of your dog learning how to be a well-mannered individual.

Special Features

Verbal markers

Dogs do not speak our language. A simple fact, but sometimes we humans seem to forget and get upset when our dogs do not do what we ask. It is our job as the leader to help our dogs better understand what we desire, and a common language between you and your dog is critical to do just that.

Verbal markers are words or sounds that communicate to the dog that it is doing something correctly or incorrectly. In this class, you will learn how to teach a Positive Marker (to tell your dog that it is doing something correctly and to keep doing it), a No-Reward Marker (to tell your dog that what it is doing is not exactly what you are looking for and to try something else), and a Release Marker (to tell your dog that it is done working). Not only will you and your dog understand each other better, but your dog will learn new things faster and easier!

Basic grooming

We will provide advice and tips on keeping your dog’s eyes, ears and teeth clean, brushing their coat, and trimming their nails.